Puppy eating wood?

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Hello,  Almost 9-week-old Belle is doing well and is a laugh a minute, but I have a question about one of her favorite things to do outside: she loves to jump up and grab a branch on a bush, wrench it off and sit and chew on the wooden stem.  I see that she is actually eating some of it.  Is that dangerous to her digestive system?  I tried bringing her antler, which she chews on enthusiastically inside, outside to substitute for the stick but she throws it down and helps herself to another stick. Advice welcome. Thanks, Andrea 

[Robin & Josie]

I would like to share a story from a neighbor of mine: Her puppy liked to chew sticks and ended up choking on a piece of one. He required surgery to remove a splinter and he did not survive. It cost them $10,000 for the surgery, which they had to finance. After going through the heartbreak of losing their puppy, they had to make monthly payments on the surgery for years afterwards.

Enough said.

[Tracey & Spike]

Spike had the same issue. Your not alone. I agree with everyone. Limit the actual stick chewing. It can be very dangerous at the worst end. But your almost guaranteed to end up with a pup with an upset stomach. The key is to find something they like more than an actual stick. Spike LOVES the petstages fake wooden stick. It is truly the most valuable thing we ever bought him. It's his outside toy. In the beginning he would grab an actual stick but when he did we would swap him for it. Now his fake stick is the only thing he ever wants. It looks like wood. Apparently tastes like wood. But doesn't break apart or cause harm.

Word of the wise.......if you buy one get it from a reputable pet store and make sure there is an s in petstages. We bought one from the TSC store and it was a made in China knock off. Even though the packaging was identical. Spike ended up sick. Not even kidding. The only difference is the s in petstages is missing on the actual fake stick and fake toys. Everything else is identical.

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Just as I feared! Catastrophe averted.  Thanks everyone. I already put Petstages Fake Wood on my shopping list. After all my years as a dog owner (terriers and lab), the amount that I still don't know is daunting.  Thank goodness for DK.

[Brenna and Nellie]

It sounds like your pup would like Ruff Roots!! This type of wood doesn't splinter and is safe for pups:
http://www.himalayandogchew.com/products/list/13